Howard Webb has blown the final whistle on his 25-year refereeing career to take up a technical role with the governing body for officials and help bring through the next generation of men in the middle.

The well-respected Webb has been England’s representative at the last four major international tournaments and he took charge of his final match at Brazil 2014 when the hosts beat Chile on penalties.

Part-time policeman Webb, popular on the pitch for his authority and straight-talking, puts away his cards having taken charge of more than 500 Barclays Premier League and Football League fixtures since becoming a Select Group referee in 2003.

Calling time: Howard Webb has ended his distinguished career as a top level referee to take up a technical director with Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL)

Top level: Webb, seen here with Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, has taken charge of more than 500 matches in the Premier League and Football League since becoming a Select Group official in 2003

Widely regarded as the best English
referee of his generation, he was praised for his rapid response when
Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba collapsed with a heart attack in an FA
Cup tie at Tottenham in February 2012, an incident that left a lasting
impact on Webb.

In 2010 he
became the first person to referee a Champions League final and World
Cup final in the same year but will also be remembered for failing to
send off Nigel de Jong for his kung-fu kick into the chest of Xabi
Alonso when Spain beat Holland in Johannesburg.

In
his new role, the 43-year-old from Yorkshire will oversee the
standards of referees for Professional Game Match Official Limited
(PGMOL) and work on the development programme that guides aspiring
officials to the top level.

He
will also have an increased media presence, with one of his primary
functions to offer technical advice to the television rights-holders,
including Sky Sports, BT and the BBC with Match Of The Day.

‘I am very excited to start this new chapter in my career after a wonderfully rewarding 25 years on the pitch,’ Webb said.

International standard: Webb has been selected for two World Cups and two European Championships

In control: Webb has been regarded as one of the best Premier League officials for some time

‘Refereeing
has given me so much and it’s important that match officials who have
had the rewards remain in the game to pass on their knowledge.’

Webb
was chastised for supposedly favouring Manchester United, and
Liverpool winger Ryan Babel was fined for posting on Twitter a doctored
picture of the referee wearing a United shirt. On Wednesday the social
media site was littered with some amusing takes on his perceived bias,
even though he is a proclaimed Rotherham fan.

Michael
Owen paid tribute to Webb, saying: ‘I know praising refs isn’t easily
done by some but fair play to Howard Webb, arguably the world’s best for
the last few years.’

Webb
started out in 1989 by refereeing games in the local leagues of
Yorkshire and in 1998 took leave from his job with South Yorkshire
Police. In 2011, he was awarded an MBE for services to football.

PGMOL
chief Mike Riley said: ‘Howard has been the foremost referee of his
generation and an inspiration for match officials in this country and
around the world.’

Rebuke: Paul Scholes sees the funny side of one of Webb's decisions as Man United take on Blackburn in 2012

Pinnacle: Webb took charge of the bad-tempered World Cup final between Holland and Spain in 2010, showing 14 yellow cards in all and sending off John Heitinga

Get back! Webb is confronted by Chelsea's Raul Meireles and Florent Malouda as Wayne Rooney gets caught up in the cross-fire as Chelsea crash with Man United in 2011